Coyote trapper receives death threats

A trapper hired by Wheaton in the spring to cull coyotes received phone and e-mail threats, leading the FBI and police to investigate unnamed animal-rights activists.

After the city's contract with Rob Erickson containing his phone number and e-mail address was made public, Erickson said, one caller threatened to kill him like he killed the coyote, and another targeted his house to burn.

"It's really frustrating, but that is how the political process works," said Erickson, who trapped and killed five coyotes perceived as a threat to residents.

FBI spokeswoman Cynthia Yates would not provide details, but confirmed this week that the agency was investigating along with Wheaton police.